Radio presenters have been criticised for promoting heavy drinking so as to be seen as “cool” by their listeners.

Researchers from the Bristol-based University of the West of England looked at 1,200 hours of output across six BBC and commercial stations.

Under 50% of all comments about alcohol encouraged drinking, but in output from just presenters the figure rose to 73%.

BBC Radio 1’s Chris Moyles came in for particular criticism. The BBC said its presenters did not encourage drinking.…